Originally posted by mattt I blame the death of a classical education. There was a time when rhetoric was taught in schools, and people were exposed to philosophy -> the love of thinking.
Good point. I remember having numerous sanctioned debates and general topic discussions in (High School) class. Usually in the History, Social Studies, or even Geography classes... Either the class would break into opposing viewpoints and (rigorously yet politely) argue their case or someone would ask a question and the response would find another student giving a different view point which would warrant a rebuttal from the teacher or another student.. and off we'd go for an hour or so haha.. thoughts and views bouncing off of each other whenever we had something to say. I really enjoyed that.
In college it was seen but not as much. And, it seemed to me, where professor/instructor was more opposed to differing viewpoints or discussion on them are the ones that acted much more totalitarian and, in general, were simply angrier than the other professors/instructors. My way or the highway.